UNC School of Law can discuss today's
amicus brief in Supreme Court race case

The UNC Center for Civil Rights, a component of the School of Law, recently
wrote an amicus brief (or "friend of the court brief") that U.S. Supreme
Court justices might consider today as part of two race relations cases being
argued.

The cases, originating from Louisville, Ky., and Seattle, will determine whether
school boards may, on their own volition, use race as a factor in student assignment
policies to foster racial diversity in public schools. The court's decision
could make it more difficult to maintain desegregated schools, observers at
the School of Law say.

The principal authors of the brief are two attorneys working at the UNC Center
for Civil Rights: Anita Earls and Ashley Osment. Both are available for comment
to members of the media.

Their 28-page brief, which argues, among other things, that school districts
have a compelling interest in promoting racial diversity in K-12 education,
is available online at www.law.unc.edu/civilrights/.
The Center for Civil Rights fosters empirical and analytical research focusing
on education, housing and community development, economic justice and voting
rights.